Summary

  • Nier: Automata offers an emotionally draining story and fast-paced combat that's a must-play for JRPG fans.
  • Yakuza 0 nails rich character development and delivers one of the best stories in gaming.
  • Scarlet Nexus is a sleeper hit with ambitious gameplay and a remarkable cast of characters that will hook you.

JRPGs are pretty much a dime a dozen in the realm of gaming. From the basics like the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series to the more complex and intricate adventures like Chrono Trigger and Bravely Default, there's something out there for everyone.

Related

20 Best Short JRPGs You Need To Play

In the mood for a JRPG but lack the time needed to play one? Then these short, excellent JRPG experiences are exactly what you need!

Posts

The stop-and-go flow of turn-based combat and random encounters can be tedious for some players, but not all games in the genre have these features. In fact, there are a great many JRPGs that are as action-packed as their Western cousins.

Updated January 05, 2024, by Sanyam Jain: Turn-based combat is an inherent part of most JRPGs out there. Thankfully, a lot more of them are also starting to appear without this element, and Ys X: Nordics is the perfect example of that.

24 Nier: Automata

Close

NieR: Automata

Action RPG Released March 7, 2017 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Platinum Games Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Proprietary Engine Franchise NieR Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch How Long To Beat 22 Hours Powered by Expand Collapse

One of the most emotionally draining titles ever released is Nier: Automata, which may not be a great selling point for some but stick with us.

In terms of gameplay? Nier: Automata has a sleek, fast-paced combat system thanks to the wizards over at Platinum Games, which gave Yoko Taro and company a helping hand. There's truly nothing quite like Nier: Automata, and we sincerely cannot beg enough people to give it a chance. And, if you do happen to dive into it, don't forget the tissues.

23 Yakuza 0

Yakuza 0

Action Adventure Beat 'Em Up Released January 24, 2017 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Publisher(s) Sega Engine Dragon Engine Franchise Yakuza Platform(s) PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC How Long To Beat 32 Hours Metascore 90 OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

While some will argue that the Yakuza series, in general, is most certainly not a JRPG, it's always been one at heart. And isn't that what really matters in the end? Semantics aside, Yakuza 0 is one of the best games conceived and wears its JRPG influences on its sleeve.

Related

10 JRPGs Where You Don't Fight God

Despite how awesome, the trope of defeating a God in a JRPG can get a tad stale. Here are some JRPGs that avoid this with more fascinating encounters!

Posts

With a killer soundtrack, over-the-top action, and rich character development, Yakuza 0 delivers one of the best stories in any game. Full stop. Brawl with some goons, sing some karaoke, and experience the events that started it all in this epic tale.

22 Ys X: Nordics

Ys X: Nordics

JRPG Action RPG Hack and Slash Released October 25, 2024 ESRB T For Teen // Blood, Language, Violence Developer(s) Nihon Falcom, PH3 GmbH Publisher(s) NIS America, Clouded Leopard Entertainment Engine Proprietary Number of Players 1 Steam Deck Compatibility Unknown Platform(s) PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC How Long To Beat 25.5 hours How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs) 72 hours OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

Not only does Ys X: Nordic's combat not have any turn-based elements, but it also introduces a unique mechanic of dual combat where you use two characters simultaneously: Adol and Karja. Connected by an invisible mana bond, these two have to fight together from the very start of the game.

As you grow close to your Shield sister while fighting together, you'll have to visit different areas and remove the Greigr presence from them. You'll find various bosses on your path using the hack-and-slash combat, with each boss having many unique attacks.

21 Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of Dana

Ys 8: Lacrimosa Of DANA

Action RPG Released September 12, 2017 ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) Nihon Falcom Publisher(s) Nihon Falcom Engine Ys 8 Franchise Ys PC Release Date April 16, 2018 PS5 Release Date November 15, 2022 Nintendo Switch Release Date June 26, 2018 Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PC, PS Vita, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 How Long To Beat 38 Hours Metascore 85 PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

Despite there being several installments in the Ys series, it is still a largely overlooked franchise, especially when considering how solid the vast majority of the catalog is. Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana is amongst the better titles in the series and delivers an unforgettable journey from start to finish.

Exhilarating combat, fascinating characters, and an engaging plot help cement Lacrimosa of Dana as one of the best JRPGs you can play, even more so now that it has been enhanced on the PlayStation 5 and PC, making the Isle of Seiren come to life and feel buttery smooth as your traverse through it.

20 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Adventure Action Open-World 5.0/5 9.5/10 Released May 12, 2023 ESRB Rated E for Everyone 10+ for Fantasy Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Nintendo Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Havok Cross-Platform Play N/A Cross Save N/A Franchise The Legend of Zelda Steam Deck Compatibility n/a Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 How Long To Beat 59 Hours X|S Optimized n/a Metascore 96 OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

When speaking about the best JRPGs with no trace of turn-based combat, it's hard not to instantly think about The Legend of Zelda series, which some would argue isn't really a JRPG but rather just an Action/Adventure title. And to that, we respectfully disagree. But even if you don't think the shoe fits on this list, it's still a great game!

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes what its groundbreaking predecessor excelled at and somehow makes it even better, all the while polishing up the aspects that were sort of lacking, making it one of the best JRPG experiences you could ever wish for.

19 Scarlet Nexus

Scarlet Nexus

Action RPG Released June 25, 2021 ESRB T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Violence Developer(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment Publisher(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment Engine Unreal Engine 4 Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S How Long To Beat 25 Hours PS Plus Availability Extra & Premium OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

Scarlet Nexus, simply put, is one of the genre's biggest sleeper hits that deserves a shot. While the game's story is quite ambitious, the gameplay manages to be somehow even more ambitious and is genuinely all killer, no filler in its execution.

Flashy, fun, deep, and rewarding, Scarlet Nexus is a heck of a game. The cast of characters present in Scarlet Nexus is remarkable and will have you falling for them before the credits roll.

18 Souls Series

Close

Dark Souls 3

Action RPG 10.0/10 Released March 24, 2016 ESRB M for Mature: Blood Violence Developer(s) From Software Publisher(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software Engine havok, proprietary engine Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer Franchise Dark Souls Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

It's probably not the first series that comes to mind when one hears the term JRPG, but the Souls series is indeed one of the most-played titles in the genre. That being said, it's definitely not for everyone and is often overlooked as a "true JRPG" due to it being heavily inspired by western fantasy.

Related

Best JRPG Start Screens

There's nothing better than being welcomed to a JRPG with an outstanding start screen, as these games show.

Posts

Even with that said, the Souls titles are still JRPGs in the grand scheme of things and are pretty dang good ones, all things considered. While it may be a grueling, unforgiving experience for anyone who plays them for the first time, they are genuinely one of the most rewarding games out there.

17 Elden Ring

Elden Ring

RPG Action 10.0/10 Released February 25, 2022 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) From Software Publisher(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software Engine Proprietary Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play PS4 & PS5 and Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S Cross Save no Steam Deck Compatibility yes Platform(s) PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X How Long To Beat 58 Hours X|S Optimized yes Metascore 96 Platforms That Support Crossplay PS4 & PS5 and Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S PS Plus Availability N/A OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

Yes, we know the 'Souls Series' is literally directly above this entry, but Elden Ring is on an entirely different level at this rate that we felt it needed its own section. Even more so now, considering its first expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, is just as captivating and rewarding as the base game was.

Elden Ring is one of the best open-world JRPGs you can get your hands on and has the level of quality and challenge you'd expect from a FromSoftware title, making it all the more rewarding when you finally take down a boss you've been stuck on for hours on end!

16 Neo: The World Ends With You

NEO: The World Ends with You

Action RPG Released July 27, 2021 ESRB T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Square Enix, h.a.n.d. Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Unity Platform(s) PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 How Long To Beat 41 Hours PS Plus Availability N/A OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand Collapse

The World Ends With You is a series with unmatched style and storytelling, but it is also a series that is criminally underrated and deserves a much broader audience than it currently has.

However, fans were fortunate to receive a sequel to The World Ends With You fourteen years later with Neo: The World Ends With You, an excellent continuation of the world and fascinating premise of the original with an updated combat system that makes it a must-play for any Action JRPG fan looking for snappy and fun combat and an emotional powerhouse of a story.

15 Final Fantasy 16

Close

Final Fantasy 16

Action RPG 4.5/5 10.0/10 Released June 22, 2023 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Proprietary Engine Cross-Platform Play Final Fantasy 16 does not support cross platform multiplayer Cross Save yes Franchise Final Fantasy Steam Deck Compatibility yes Platform(s) PC, PS5 How Long To Beat 36 Hours X|S Optimized no Metascore 88 PS Plus Availability N/A OpenCritic Rating Mighty Powered by Expand Collapse

Final Fantasy 16 had tremendous amounts of pressure placed on its shoulders due to its predecessor being one of the most polarizing installments in the series and the developer being the team behind the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy 14.

Fortunately, Creative Business Unit III knocked yet another title out of the park, bringing one of the best combat systems alive and an engaging and emotional story filled with remarkable characters, music, and locations. Final Fantasy 16 may not be what some wanted, but it's unquestionable that the team nailed what they set out to do!